We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Stefan Craß, Radhakrishna Dasari, Tim Weingärtner, Silvan Andermatt, Giacomo Vella, Reza Nourmohammadi, Jane Thomason, Vinzenz Treytl, Philippe Rixhon, Valentin Kalinov, Aisling Connolly, Markus Abbassi, Sevket Pala, Horst Treiblmaier, Fatmire Bekiri, Phil Dettwiler, Yves Longchamp, Ian Choo, Katharina Lasota Heller, Liat Shetret, Magdalena Boškić, Leila Aghabarari, and Arno Pernthaler

The digital asset and crypto asset markets have become an emerging industry where well-funded start-ups are growing towards becoming global leaders, and traditional institutions are investing and expanding into related services. While regulation and the oversight of qualifications of professionals in this field is becoming increasingly important, the industry lacks professionals with well-founded knowledge and experience in both worlds. The Digital Asset 101 Certificate – Part 2 addresses this gap with a holistic, 12h certification program developed in collaboration with leading academic and industry players. See full 24h professional certification program on this page: Digital Asset 101 Professional Certificate.

Read more

The digital asset and crypto asset markets have become an emerging industry where well-funded start-ups are growing towards becoming global leaders, and traditional institutions are investing and expanding into related services. While regulation and the oversight of qualifications of professionals in this field is becoming increasingly important, the industry lacks professionals with well-founded knowledge and experience in both worlds. The Digital Asset 101 Certificate – Part 2 addresses this gap with a holistic, 12h certification program developed in collaboration with leading academic and industry players. See full 24h professional certification program on this page: Digital Asset 101 Professional Certificate.

The Digital Asset 101 Certificate - Part 2 has been designed for professionals with backgrounds in finance, banking, asset management and trading.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The digital asset 101 certificate comprises of two parts, which are made up of three macro-modules, aligned with the esteemed charterholder programs offered by dec institute (exam syllabus, study booklet, practice questions and tests). these 3 macro-modules consist of the following modules:
  • Technology:
  • In this section, we explore the following topics related to blockchain history, blockchain principles, consensus mechanisms, blockchain architectures, distributed file systems, token standards & minting, smart contracts, cryptocurrencies, tokens, blockchain protocols, wallets & custody, scalability, interoperability, privacy, dapps, daos and oracles.
  • Business & economics:
  • In this section, we explore the following topics related to blockchain and the internet, blockchain ecosystem, industry investment, investors' perspectives, icos & ieos for capital raising, blockchain economics, blockchain and token investments, tokenisation in business, digital asset business models, dapps in business, blockchain governance in business and daos, blockchain and sustainability, application areas of blockchain in traditional financial services, decentralised finance (defi), advanced defi, application areas in non-financial service sectors, application areas of nfts, stablecoins and central bank digital currency (cbdc).
  • Legal / regulatory:
  • In this section, we explore the following topics related to legal and regulatory treatment of cryptoassets & applications, legal and regulatory treatment of cryptoassets & fundraising, regulatory and legal standing of blockchain technology, legal status of smart contracts, challenges of regulating dlt, blockchain, competition law and antitrust, blockchain and regtech, regulatory and legal perspectives of daos, and blockchain and intellectual property.
  • After completing the digital asset 101 certificate, candidates interested to proceed with dec’s professional development path, are invited to register for the
  • examination at pearsonvue through the website of
  • , where they can download and study additional preparatory material (mandatory reading: study booklet cdaa®️ level 1), which will be required to successfully pass the examination and obtain the cdaa®️ i professional designation and membership status at dec. for experienced digital asset professionals, there is also the opportunity to earn the level 2 charterholder status, unlocking addition career benefits and opportunities.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills and knowledge that are core for professionals in banking, finance, asset management, and trading
Covers advanced topics such as DeFi and NFTs, which are highly relevant in the industry
Has instructors who are recognized for their work in finance and digital assets
Aligned with prestigious programs offered by the DEC Institute, providing industry recognition
Teaches the fundamentals of Blockchain and digital assets, which is useful for both beginners and those looking to advance their knowledge
Requires students to have some background in finance or related fields

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Digital asset foundation for finance professionals

According to learners, this course provides a comprehensive overview of digital assets, covering technology, business, and regulatory aspects. Many found the content highly relevant, offering valuable industry insights delivered by experienced instructors. While the course is praised for building a strong foundation and its practical application, some students noted that certain complex topics are presented in a fast-paced manner, requiring dedication and prior financial understanding to fully grasp. Overall, it's considered a valuable certification for professionals entering or advancing in the digital asset space.
Course content strives to remain current in a rapidly evolving field.
"Given how fast the crypto space moves, the course does a good job staying current, but some parts felt slightly behind."
"I noticed recent reviews often praise the continuous updates to the curriculum, which is great."
"It's crucial for courses like this to be updated regularly, and this one seems to be responsive."
Content can be rapid, requiring prior knowledge or extra effort.
"The information comes very quickly, so be prepared to pause and re-watch sections."
"Some modules felt quite dense, and I needed to do extra reading to fully grasp them."
"If you don't have a finance background, be ready for a steep learning curve."
Instructors demonstrate strong knowledge and real-world experience.
"The instructors are clearly experts in their fields, making even complex ideas accessible."
"I found the instructors' real-world examples and case studies particularly insightful."
"Their deep industry knowledge truly elevates the learning experience."
Offers a broad and deep understanding of the digital asset landscape.
"This course gave me an excellent overview of the digital asset landscape, from blockchain tech to regulations."
"I appreciated the depth of topics covered, especially the intersection of business and legal aspects."
"It's highly relevant for finance professionals; I could immediately apply concepts to my work."
Offers significant value for career advancement in digital assets.
"This certificate is a great step for anyone looking to specialize in digital assets."
"I feel much more confident discussing blockchain and crypto topics with clients after this course."
"The connection to the CDAA®️ exam provides a clear professional pathway."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Digital Asset 101 Certificate - Part 2 with these activities:
Complete online quizzes and practice questions on blockchain concepts and technologies
Strengthens understanding of core blockchain concepts through repetitive practice.
Browse courses on Blockchain Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Identify online platforms or resources offering blockchain quizzes and practice questions
  • Set aside regular time for practicing
  • Review the answers and explanations to enhance understanding
Build a simple smart contract
Reinforces understanding of blockchain fundamentals and provides hands-on experience in smart contract development.
Browse courses on Blockchain Development
Show steps
  • Deploy the smart contract to the blockchain
  • Choose a blockchain platform (e.g., Ethereum, Polygon)
  • Set up a development environment (e.g., MetaMask, Truffle)
  • Create a simple smart contract (e.g., a token transfer contract)
  • Test the smart contract functionality
Create a curated resource list of articles, videos, and online courses on blockchain technology
Fosters independent learning and provides a comprehensive resource for continued exploration.
Browse courses on Blockchain Technology
Show steps
  • Research and gather high-quality resources on blockchain technology
  • Categorize and organize the resources into a structured list
  • Provide brief summaries or descriptions of each resource
  • Share the resource list with others or publish it online
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Follow video tutorials on developing and deploying blockchain applications
Provides practical guidance and hands-on experience in blockchain application development.
Browse courses on Blockchain Development
Show steps
  • Identify online platforms or resources offering video tutorials on blockchain development
  • Select tutorials that align with your learning objectives
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, implementing the code and deploying applications
  • Troubleshoot any issues encountered during the process
Attend workshops on blockchain-related technologies and trends
Provides opportunities for networking, learning from experts, and staying updated on industry trends.
Browse courses on Blockchain Technology
Show steps
  • Research and identify upcoming blockchain workshops
  • Register for and attend the workshops
  • Actively participate in the workshops, ask questions, and engage with speakers and attendees
  • Follow up with contacts made during the workshops
Develop a whitepaper on a specific blockchain use case
Enhances understanding of blockchain's potential and fosters research and analytical skills.
Browse courses on Blockchain Applications
Show steps
  • Identify a specific blockchain use case (e.g., supply chain management, decentralized finance)
  • Research the use case and gather relevant information
  • Outline the whitepaper and develop a structure
  • Write the whitepaper, including sections on problem definition, proposed solution, benefits, and challenges
  • Proofread and finalize the whitepaper

Career center

Learners who complete Digital Asset 101 Certificate - Part 2 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Digital Asset 101 Certificate - Part 2.
Considered a standard textbook for introductory cryptography courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. provides a rigorous theoretical foundation with an emphasis on formal definitions and proofs of security. It's essential for students seeking a deep understanding of cryptographic principles.
Provides a clear and accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts of Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and the underlying blockchain technology. It is ideal for beginners seeking to gain a broad understanding of the digital asset space, covering everything from the history of Bitcoin to how transactions work and the basics of investing. This book serves as excellent foundational reading.
Focuses on the latest advancements in NLP, specifically transformer models, which have revolutionized the field. It covers the tokenization strategies used in these models, such as subword tokenization, which is crucial for understanding modern NLP. It's highly relevant for contemporary topics and provides practical guidance for implementation.
Dives specifically into security tokens and the tokenization of financial assets using blockchain technology. It's highly relevant for understanding the practical applications of tokenization in the finance industry, including raising capital and investing. It provides insights into the potential of tokenization to transform traditional finance.
Focuses on the application of tokenization to real-world assets for wealth creation. It explains the principles, benefits, and process of asset tokenization across various classes like real estate and commodities. It's valuable for understanding the investment potential and practicalities of RWA tokenization.
Provides a practical introduction to modern cryptography with a focus on real-world applications and implementation pitfalls. It is suitable for undergraduate students and working professionals, particularly those with a programming background. It covers essential concepts and valuable reference for understanding how cryptographic primitives are used securely.
Considered by many as a comprehensive guide, this book delves into the technical aspects of blockchain, including cryptography, consensus algorithms, and smart contracts. It is suitable for undergraduate students with a technical background, graduate students, and working professionals seeking a deeper understanding of how blockchain works under the hood. The latest edition includes contemporary topics like DeFi, NFTs, and Web3.
Argues for the potential of blockchain networks to create a more open and decentralized internet, often referred to as Web3. It contrasts this vision with the current state of the internet dominated by large platforms. This book is highly relevant for understanding the contemporary vision and potential future of digital assets within the context of the internet's evolution.
Focuses on the practical aspects of designing and implementing secure cryptographic systems. It's an excellent resource for software engineers and system architects, bridging the gap between theoretical cryptography and real-world deployment. It highlights common pitfalls and provides guidance on building secure systems.
Provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology, including smart contracts. Relevant to those who want to learn more about the underlying technology of smart contracts.
Technical guide to Bitcoin. It covers the different ways to use Bitcoin, the different types of Bitcoin wallets, and the different ways to develop Bitcoin applications. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of Bitcoin.
Collection of essays from leading experts in the DeFi space. It covers a wide range of topics, including the history of DeFi, the regulatory landscape, and the future of DeFi. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the latest thinking on DeFi.
Considered a seminal work, this book delves into the technical aspects of Bitcoin, explaining its architecture, transactions, and security in detail. While it can be technical, it is an invaluable resource for those who want to understand the inner workings of the first and most prominent digital asset. It is often used as a reference for developers and enthusiasts alike.
Provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal and regulatory issues surrounding blockchain technology, covering topics such as smart contracts, digital assets, and initial coin offerings.
Focuses on the cryptography used in real-world systems and applications. It's a practical guide for developers and security professionals, covering topics like TLS, cryptocurrencies, and secure messaging. It provides insights into how cryptographic concepts are applied in practice.
A report on cryptocurrency and blockchain technology from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Explores the rapidly evolving world of Decentralized Finance (DeFi), explaining the core concepts, protocols, and potential impact on traditional finance. It is highly relevant for understanding one of the most significant contemporary applications of digital assets and blockchain.
This foundational textbook in Natural Language Processing that provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It covers fundamental concepts including tokenization, providing essential background knowledge for anyone studying NLP. While comprehensive, it can be challenging for beginners due to its depth and breadth. The latest draft edition incorporates recent advancements.
Provides a broad understanding of the concept of tokens beyond cryptocurrencies and explores their potential to create new economic systems in the Web3 era. It is essential for grasping the diverse applications and implications of tokenization in finance and digital assets. It offers a strong theoretical framework and examines various use cases.
A highly technical book that provides an in-depth analysis of the Bitcoin protocol and blockchain. It's a foundational text for developers and those seeking a deep technical understanding of how blockchain works. While focused on Bitcoin, the principles are applicable to other blockchain technologies. Suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and developers.
Tells the story of Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, and the development of decentralized applications (dApps) and DeFi. It provides an inside look at the creation and growth of this crucial platform in the digital asset space. This book is highly relevant for understanding the evolution beyond Bitcoin and the rise of smart contracts.
Offers a practical approach to building blockchain applications and includes a dedicated chapter on the tokenization of assets. It helps solidify understanding by demonstrating how tokenization works in practice on a blockchain platform like Ethereum. It's a useful resource for those who want to move from theory to implementation.
Key resource for understanding the emerging field of post-quantum cryptography, which focuses on cryptographic algorithms resistant to attacks by quantum computers. It is suitable for graduate students and researchers interested in contemporary cryptographic challenges.
A classic and comprehensive survey of cryptographic protocols and algorithms. While some of the algorithms covered may be outdated for current implementation, this book remains an invaluable reference for understanding the breadth of cryptography and its historical development. It's particularly useful for those interested in the practical application of cryptography.
Offers a clear and accessible introduction to modern cryptography, suitable for undergraduate students. It focuses on the fundamental concepts and provides a good balance between theory and practical examples.
Examines Bitcoin from an economic perspective, positioning it as a potential alternative to traditional central banking and fiat currencies. It provides historical context on different forms of money and argues for Bitcoin's significance based on its scarcity and decentralized nature. This book is crucial for understanding the economic and philosophical underpinnings of digital assets.
Addresses data security and privacy-preserving techniques, including tokenization, in the context of managing data assets. It's highly relevant for understanding how tokenization is used beyond finance for protecting sensitive information. It provides practical lessons and strategies for implementing data protection measures.
Presents a unique framework for understanding monetary systems, including digital assets, through the concept of 'layered money'. It draws parallels between historical forms of money and modern digital currencies like Bitcoin and CBDCs. This book offers a valuable economic perspective on the place of digital assets within the broader financial system.
This set of books offers a comprehensive look at data privacy and security, including the role of tokenization in protecting sensitive data. It's a valuable reference for understanding the application of tokenization in data security strategies and compliance requirements across various industries.
Explores the potential of blockchain technology to create a system of trust without intermediaries and its impact across various industries. It's a valuable read for undergraduates and professionals interested in the broader societal and economic implications of blockchain.
A comprehensive and foundational reference work in applied cryptography. While published in 1996, it remains a vital resource for researchers and practitioners due to its depth and breadth of coverage on cryptographic techniques and mathematical foundations. It is often used as a graduate-level textbook.
Provides a solid introduction to the theory and practice of cryptography, suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. It covers a wide range of topics and includes a good balance of theoretical concepts and practical algorithms.
Considered a classic and definitive history of cryptography. While not a technical guide, this book provides invaluable context and a fascinating narrative of the evolution of secret communication. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the historical and cultural impact of cryptography.
Offers a practical introduction to NLP using the Python programming language and the NLTK library. It covers tokenization as a fundamental text processing step with hands-on examples. It's particularly useful for those who want to apply NLP concepts and gain practical skills. While an excellent introduction, it may not delve into the most advanced contemporary topics.
This influential book explores the broader potential of blockchain technology to disrupt various industries, including finance. It provides context for why tokenization revolutionary concept by highlighting the capabilities of distributed ledgers. While not solely focused on tokenization, it's a must-read for understanding the technological shift enabling it.
Discusses the digitization and tokenization of real-world assets, providing insights into the business requirements and use cases for tokenization projects. It offers a perspective on the potential scale and impact of asset tokenization on various industries and investment classes.
Written by product managers from major tech companies, this book provides a balanced perspective on the potential and limitations of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. It analyzes various use cases and challenges, offering a realistic view of the technology's adoption. is useful for gaining a critical and contemporary perspective on digital assets.
Explores both foundational and advanced topics in NLP, including fundamental text processing techniques like tokenization and contemporary approaches. It provides a broad overview of the field and its applications, suitable for gaining a solid understanding of NLP tokenization within a wider context.
Provides an overview of the rise of cryptocurrencies and their potential impact on the global financial system. It explores how digital money is challenging traditional institutions and monetary policies. This book is useful for understanding the broader economic context and implications of digital assets.
A comprehensive guide to blockchain technology, covering distributed ledgers, decentralization, and smart contracts. Understanding these core concepts is essential for a deep understanding of how tokenization functions within blockchain networks. provides detailed explanations of the underlying technology.
Offers a comprehensive introduction to Bitcoin, blockchain, and cryptoassets from the perspective of monetary economics. It covers both the technical aspects and the economic implications. Suitable for students and professionals interested in the financial and economic aspects of blockchain.
Explores the potential of blockchain technology to tokenize everything from stocks and bonds to real estate and commodities. It discusses the benefits and challenges of tokenization and provides a vision for the future of the financial system.
Offers a narrative history of Bitcoin's early days, focusing on the key individuals and events that shaped its development. It provides a compelling and accessible account of the human stories behind the rise of digital currency. This book is excellent for gaining historical context and understanding the origins of the digital asset movement.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Digital Asset 101 Certificate - Part 2.
Transacting on the Blockchain
Most relevant
Blockchain Opportunities Beyond Crypto Assets
Most relevant
Blockchain Theory and Applications I
Most relevant
Introduction to Blockchain Technologies
Most relevant
Business Implementation and Security
Most relevant
Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases
Most relevant
Blockchain Business Models
Most relevant
Introduction to Blockchain for Global Commerce
Most relevant
Blockchain Unleashed to Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Most relevant

edX Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

World-Class University Partner
Free Trial & Audit

Free Audit Track Available

Free audit track available for most courses, giving open access to video lectures, course readings, and assignments at no charge.

Return & Refund Policy

14-Day Full Refund Window

14-day full refund available up to 14 days after course start or 14 days after payment (whichever comes second, up to 6 months max), provided verified certificate has not yet been earned.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

University-backed credentials authored by elite institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Oxford, with tamper-proof certificate verification.

Key Purchase Protections
Free audit track for open learning access
14-day money-back guarantee on verified certificates
Prestigious university credentials (Harvard, MIT)
Automatic unenrollment refund process via dashboard
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser